LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14160, 10 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There is work almost everywhere for men who can and will do it.—Greeley. During the week ended September 8 a total of 22 cases of influenza were reported in the Wellington health district. Of thes e 17 were mild, one moderate, and four severe.

The Cambridge ratepayers, by poll yesterday, voted in favour of the adoption of rating on unimproved values by 153 votes to 61. The system will come into operation on Ist April next. The Waipa County Council will seek at the Counties' Conference to have the Public Works Act of 1908 amended to give County Councils extended powers to control and license the uso of motor tractors on roads. I /'That section 157 of the Public Works Act, 1908, be amended so as to enable local bodies to recover from any person damaging a road in any manner, the full cost of making good such damage," runs a Waipa County remit on the agenda paper for the New Zealand Counties' Conference.

Proposals to borrow £SOOO for various works by the Cambridge Borough,Council were carried by a large majority at the poll of ratepayers yesterday, it is proposed to expend the money as follows :—Permanent road construction, £2000; permanent footpaths, concrete, and kerbing, £2500; ladies' dressingroom, £3OO.

This week's issue of the Sporting and Dramatic Review is featured abundantly with attractive illustrations, scones during the signing of the treaty at Versailles,, making an interesting portion. Locally ar e .snapshots at the Marton races, incidents in connection with the recent capping ceremony of the Otago University, and reception in Wellington of Lord Jellicoe, etc. There are seven remits standing to the name of the Waipa County Council on the agenda paper for the New Zealand Counties' Conference. Raglan has one remit, but Waikato, IVLatamata and Pinko Counties are all silent in this connection. The Kawhia Council is well interested with nine remits. The head of the remit poll (14) belongs to the Rangitikei County Council. In reply to representations by the Gold Mine Owners' Association in reference to the export of gold, Hon. Sir Jas. Allen stated that the Imperial Government had already removed the embargo on its transmission from New Zealand, and-persons who desired to send gold to any destination should therefore make application to the Finance Minister for authority to do so The Waikato Troubadours journeyed to the Waikato Sanatorium on Sunday last, and cheered the soldier patients with a bright programme of vocal and instrumental numbers. The items were much enjoyed by the audience, which was enthusiastic in its applause. After the performance a dainty afternoon tea was provided by the matron and nursing staff. Colonel Scott voiced the thanks of the inmates to the Troubadours for their kind action.

The secretary of the New Zealand Counties' Association advised the Waipa County Council yesterday that the conference which was to have been held in Wellington on September 3 had been postponed indefinitely. This had been necessitated owing to the restrictions and conditions of the Railway Department in connection ' with the travelling of passengers. It was hoped the conditions would improve, so that the Conference might be held while Parliament was sitting. At a meeting of the Scottish Society of Hamilton, which was held last evening, Major Reid occupied the chair. The meeting gave some discussion to organisation methods and the future operations of this newly-formed institution. It was decided to hold the first social ,i"d dance, to which members and friends will be invited, in about a fortnight's time. The formation of a Pipe Band for Hamilton was definitely decided on, as there are sufficient playing members in the town to establish it immediately. On the suggestion of Cr. Macky, the "Waipa County Council resolved yesterday to confer with, the Raglan County Council upon the question of taking the necessary action towards adequate provision being made for clearing away certain shingle obstructions, and' so make the Waipa river navigable over the whole distance between Ngaruawahia and Piropgia. If the counties showed active interest in this very essential matter there was very strong hopes for a substantial subsidy from the Government towards the cost of the work. It was resolved to ask the .Raglan Council to appoint delegates t° meet the Waipa representatives in Hamilton to discuss the matter. An airest has been made at Kaikohe of Pouri Mareta Kere, a single Maori girl, aged 22, o n a charge of the murder of her infant child. This was in consequence of the recent finding of a baby's body in a Maori well at Kaikohe. When discovered the body was in such an advanced state of decomposition, evidently having been in the well about six weeks, that it was impossible to tell if the child had had a separate existen.ce, The body was found on the 30tfi August, an inquest was opened at Kawakawa on September 1, when application was mad 6 by Senior-Sergeant Cassells for an adjournment to October 1. This was granted, subsequent investigation leading to the arrest of the girl Kere. Accussed will be formally charged with the murder, and remanded for eight days, i In his report to the Waipa County Council yesterday the engineer stated that since last meeting little improvement had taken place in the railway arrangements, and this, unfortunately, placed the Council in a very unsatisfactory position. In view of the extensive metalling operations which it was honed to carry out during the summer, arrangements should now be under way for getting the necessary contracts provided for, as the season was f.'-.st advancing. Of course, under existing circumstances it was impossible to arrange anything, as it was quite uncertain when metal would be obtainable—if it was at all—for the indicafco"s seemed to ooint to reduced carrying capacity on the railway. However npp; 'ently the only thing that could be done would be to place the whole position before the Minister of Railways when the Council's representatives visited Wellington. Just when this visit would take place it was impossible to say definitely as x the meeting of the Counties' Conference had been deferred owing to the inconvenience of travelling by rail at present. This period of- the year—-'Spring-time"—is the time when every housewife is giving careful attenton to her spring renovations for the home. The windows in most cases receive first consideration, and with the pretty curtains now showing at Hooker and Kingston'?:, the variety is so large that the selecting is made an easy problem. Dainty casement nets are again to the front this year. These class of goods give a soft appearance to any room, and being made up in fast colours, are in every way satisfactory. Prices range from 2s 3d to 5s 'lid a yard. An exquisito showing is also made of coloured Madras curtains in fast colours. These goods are charming and add quite an attractiveness to any homo. Hooker and Kingston, Ltd.. "The House of Satisfaction," famous for house furnishings.* Eggs are coming down: and now is the time to use SHARLAND'S "MOA" BRAND EGO PRESERVATIVE. You will save money by using it. (5) Only best plantation rubber, hacked j '-■■ British brains and capital, go to make up the "Unique" success of the "Unique" brand Hot Water Bottle. Sold and recommended by leading retailers everywhere. (47)

The Waikato Sanatorium is to be evacuated of soldier patients to-mor-row, the 18 inmates being transferred to the new sanatorium at Waipukurau (Hawke's Bay). The case, Owen Monckton v. H. T. Gillies, liie Hamilton Borough Council being joined as third party, is set down for hearing at the Supreme Court at Hamilton to-morrow morning.

• Several definitions of the word "wowser" have been given, but the latest is that given by a body of young men, according to the Mayor of Hawera at a recont public meeting. It is, "We Only Want Social Evils Removed."

The transport Ellenga is expected at Auckland to-night with a draft of returning soldiers. The exact time of her arrival is not known. The transport will not berth,' but will remain in the stream, and the troops will be brought on shore by ferry steamer probably on Thursday morning. The Hamilton Boxing Association intends to open its new season with a two-nights' tournament, probably during the second week In October. The principal attraction on that occasion will be a fight for th e Nsw Zealand Featherweight Championship for a purse of £SO and expenses. The contestants will bo Gus. Venn., of Taumarunuj, who is the holder of the title, apd Lyn- Robinson, of Gisborne.

The monthly meeting of the W.C.T.U. was held on Wednesday last. The president, Mrs Morton, presided. Mr Waterhouse, local organiser for Prohibition, gave an interesting account ol the working for the new campaign, workers being arranged for and instructed how to proceed. After a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, the meeting closed with the Doxology. ''That, in order to cope with _ the enormous growth of traffic, especially that of motors on main roads, the Government be urged to establish a national read construction system, automatically providing the necessary funds on a basis of definite subsidies for the construction of permanent highways." This is the form in which a Waipa County remit is frarned, and on which should ensue discussion on one of the most important subjects to be considered by the New Zealand County delegates in conference at Wellington. The Department of Internal Affairs proposes to place on record a statement of what was done throughout the Dominion regarding the Peace celebrations. One complete copy of the record is to be placed in thle public libraries in the four chief cities, and also in the General Assembly Library, the Turnbull Library, and the Dominion Musieum .In bringing this subject before the Waipa County Council yesterday, the Under Secretary sought cooperation and assistance in supplying all available information regarding the celebrations in its district. Photographs of processions, etc. approximate number of soldiers and of the children present bach day, with copies of the Peace celebration programme, were the headings under which data is being sought. *

Whether after a decree nisi has been made a husband is liable for the maintenance of his wife until such time as a decree absolute is entered, was a point raised in the Wellington Magistrate's Court in the case Myrtle Lilian Coley v. Percival Herbert Coley. Plaintiff sought to have defendant 'punished for disobedience of a maintenance order respecting himself and payment of arrears ordered, and defendant applied to have the order cancelled. After hearing the parties the presiding Magistrate said that defendant had shown the necessary grounds for his case, and he would not order the arrears to be paid. The question of maintenance and custody of the parties' child could be considered when the decree absolute was being heard. - The case in which William A. Barber, farmer, of Ongarue, represented by Mr Shortland, sued Walter Beard (Mr Mac Diarmid) for termination-of agreement, accounts, etc., there being a counter-claim for £250 alleged damages for breach of agreement, was continued in the Supreme Court at Hamilton yesterday, before his Honor Mr Justice Cooper. Percy Beard, farmer, of Marton, corroborated the evidence of his brother, the defendant, that the plaintiff, when he came back from camp, agreed to defendant carrying on the property for the full year mentioned ;a the agreement. Robert B. Williams, solicitor, Taumarunui, deposed to drawing up the agreement between the parties, and the addition of the endorsement that should the plaintiff be discharged from camp the defendant would abandon all his rights under the agreement. His Honor reserved decision as to the operation of the agreement. Counsel agreed that accounts should be taken, Mr Mac Diarmid stating that plaintiff claimed £2lO, of which defendant admitted £B9.